BEETLES - FOLIAGE FEEDING
Beetles are the most diverse of all the insects in North Carolina. There are over 3,300 different species. Adult beetles have hard front wings. Both the adults and grubs have chewing mouthparts and may feed on the same or different plants in the adult and grub stages. The following beetles are some of the common foliage feeding beetle pests of trees or shrubs:
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CONTROLA single, heavy attack by a beetle will seldom kill a healthy tree or shrub. Repeated defoliation's may kill plants or make them susceptible to other insects, diseases, severe cold weather, drought or other stress. Beetles can be managed by any one of the following insecticides. Various fruit tree spray mixtures are available and control beetle pests of fruit trees in the home grounds as well. These are only some of the products available. |
| Pesticide | (Trade Name) | Formulation and Amount |
| None of the following pesticides is labeled for all species of beetles. Read the label before purchasing an insecticide to make sure that it is appropriate for the pest. | ||
| bifenthrin | (Talstar) | 10% wettable powder: 1 to 5 teaspoons per gallon of water |
| spinosad | (Conserve) | Good for elm and willow leaf beetles |
| *carbaryl | (Sevin) | 50% wettable powder: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water |
| *fluvalinate | (Mavrik) | 23% aquaeous flowable: 1/6 to 1/3 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| *imidacloprid | (Merit) | Labeled for use as foliar spray or soil drench for elm and viburnum leaf beetles. Japanese beetle. |
| malathion | 57% emulsifiable concentrate: 1 tablespoon per gallon of water | |
| *malathion | 25% wettable powder: 3 tablespoons per gallon of water | |
| permethrin | (Astro) | 36.8 emulsifiable concentrate: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| *pyrethrins | various | follow label directions |
Consult NC Chem. Manual for additional choices for your pest or plant.
* Suitable for home use.
Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in your county.
ENT/ort-24
August 1994 (Revised) January, 2002
Web page last reviewed January, 2011 by the webperson.